Popsugar Beauty Zit Happens Best Hormonal Acne Spot Treatments | Editor Picks I Have Hormonal Acne, and These Are the 5 Spot Treatments I Can't Live Without 1 June 2020 by Krista Jones Image Source: Hero Cosmetics As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work. I've spent over a decade battling hormonal breakouts. After what seems like a lifetime, I've finally got my routine down to a science. That doesn't stop a few breakouts from popping up during my period, though. I don't mean a whitehead or blackhead that's easily pop-able — I'm talking deep, under-the-skin cysts that hurt; I can feel them coming on before they even appear. Sometimes even stress can cause these for me. This is just a part of my life, and I've accepted it, but honestly, it really stresses me out . . . which causes even more breakouts and picking. It's a vicious cycle that I struggle to escape from. Over time, I've found solace in working with the right products. I mostly turn to spot treatments, and I've tested what seems like hundreds. They all promise the same results: "Make your pimple disappear in hours!" but I know that's nearly impossible. Still, through all the trials, I have found a few that actually help me cut my breakout time in half, and in some cases, can vanish a zit in a day or two. If you're someone who also suffers from stressful breakouts, then you're not alone. To help find what works best for you and your skin, I curated a list of my favourite spot treatments and how I use them. Maybe they will work for you or just get you inspired to find the right matches for your skin type. Keep reading to shop my top picks. Related: The Best At-Home Acne Treatments, According to Dermatologists My Everyday Hero: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion Image Source: sephora.com It's no secret that the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17) is a fan favourite. The award-winning solution is what I use almost daily. I like using it for smaller pimples that pop up every now and then. At the first sight of any bump on my face, I apply it before bed. When I wake up, there's pretty much nothing there. Sometimes I use it on cysts, too, but I find it's better for smaller breakouts. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion $17 from sephora.com Buy Now My Secret Weapon: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Image Source: herocosmetics.us When I feel a big hormonal cyst coming on, the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original ($13) is the option I turn to. The vegan and cruelty-free patches are made from clean products, but they do wonders. I have used these on my most painful and deepest pimples. I find that not only do they go away much faster but they help reduce a dark spot that's often left behind. I simply put one on before bed and in the morning notice that it's much flatter. Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original $13 from herocosmetics.us Buy Now My Favourite Coverup: Sephora Collection Clear and Cover Acne Treatment Cream Concealer Image Source: sephora.com I'm not a huge makeup person — I pretty much only wear tinted moisturiser. I find a lot of concealers always made my breakouts look cakey and more noticeable. I tried this Sephora Collection Clear and Cover Acne Treatment Cream Concealer with 2% Salicylic Acid ($14) on a whim, not thinking it would be a game changer, and I was wrong. Not only does it cover a majority of my breakouts but the acne-fighting formula helps them go away quicker, too. I like to put mine on with a brush to perfectly blend in. Sephora Collection Clear and Cover Acne Treatment Cream Concealer with 2% $14 from sephora.com Buy Now My Gentle Go-To: Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Acne Spot Treatment Image Source: sephora.com The Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Acne Spot Treatment ($55) is a gentle yet effective choice I love to use in the daytime. Although, it comes in tinted shades, I prefer using the clear option. It's thin and light, so I often use this one in the morning before I put makeup on. The tea tree oil helps heal a blemish and reduce redness. I also like to use it on my body acne, if I feel a large breakout on my chest or back, I apply it before getting dressed, and it feels like nothing is there. Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Acne Spot Treatment $55 from sephora.com Buy Now My "Oops I Picked" Relief: Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm Image Source: herocosmetics.us I'm a self-proclaimed picker. It's really hard for me to not pop a pimple, and oftentimes, I end up scaring my skin and making breakouts even worse. I try my hardest to not pop, but sometimes, it just has to be done. The Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm ($13) is truly a lifesaver. It's like a first-aid ointment that melts into your skin and helps to heal damaged skin. After using it, within just a few days, the mark I made is all gone. Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm $13 from herocosmetics.us Buy Now Zit HappensProduct ReviewsBeauty ReviewsBeauty ShoppingBeauty ProductsEditor's PickAcne